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Last updated: November 11, 2024

Get a snapshot of the festive season in Bowie. Our guide covers all the essential holiday activities. For those who breathe Bowie air daily and those just sampling it, our guide brings holiday magic to life.

Popular events this season include the enchanting US Botanic Gardens Holiday Display and Trains, where vibrant seasonal displays meet intricate train setups. The Downtown Holiday Market offers a unique shopping experience with local vendors showcasing handmade goods and festive treats. And the City Center Christmas Tree Lighting is something you definitely don't want to miss, as it illuminates the heart of Bowie with twinkling lights. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!

Contact information and details below.

Bowie Holiday Light Displays

What to Expect:

Dazzling 75-foot tree with live performances and interactive activities.

Description:

Join CityCenterDC for its 10th Annual Holiday Tree Lighting, featuring a joyful music performance by The Revels, balloon artists, face painters, and holiday treats. NBC4's Eun Yang will host the official tree lighting ceremony and countdown. Enjoy the dazzling 75-foot tree, visit the two resident 25-foot reindeer, and capture the holiday spirit with a photo under the Palmer Alley Dream Closet art installation.

Where: Washington | More Info: City Center Christmas Tree Lighting

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What to Expect:

Historic estate illuminated with festive lights and holiday music.

Description:

Explore Mount Vernon by Candlelight, where historic spaces are illuminated with brilliant lights and holiday music, offering an 18th-century holiday experience with activities like visiting an 18th-century winter encampment, meeting Aladdin the Camel, and learning about traditional holiday practices.

Where: Mount Vernon | More Info: Mount Vernon by Candlelight

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What to Expect:

Historic estate illuminated with festive lights and fireworks.

Description:

Explore George Washington's estate during the holiday season with festive lights, classic holiday music, and historic activities like 18th-century dancing and visits to a winter encampment. Enjoy stunning fireworks over the Potomac River and shop for holiday gifts at the 18th-century Winter Market.

Where: Mount Vernon | More Info: Holiday Lantern Tour

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What to Expect:

Historic estate illuminated with moving lights and fireworks.

Description:

Celebrate the holiday season at Mount Vernon with lantern-lit historic areas, a glowing mansion, and stunning fireworks over the Potomac River. Enjoy an 18th-century winter encampment, working blacksmith shop, and Aladdin the Camel. Explore 18th-century traditions and shop for holiday gifts at the winter market.

Where: Mount Vernon | More Info: Christmas Illuminations at Mount Vernon

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What to Expect:

Sensory-friendly nights with lowered music volume and fewer flashing lights.

Description:

At Neabsco Regional Park, stroll through a nearly 1-mile path of unique, hand-crafted light displays, perfect for family outings. The event is stroller and wheelchair friendly, with sensory-friendly nights designed for individuals with disabilities.

Where: Woodbridge | More Info: Neabsco Regional Park Holiday Walk of Lights

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Bowie Holiday Markets and Shopping

What to Expect:

Upgraded vendor kiosks and diverse local artisans.

Description:

The DowntownDC Holiday Market is a vibrant holiday marketplace in Penn Quarter-Chinatown, featuring over 100 local vendors, upgraded vendor kiosks, community activations, and a diverse food and beverage lineup. It is a 20-year tradition that continues to evolve with new management by Makers Show, offering a diverse and enjoyable shopping experience.

Where: Washington | More Info: Downtown Holiday Market

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What to Expect:

Unique handmade crafts supporting local artists and small businesses.

Description:

The Bowie Holiday Craft Fair at the Bowie Senior Center features local artisans and crafters offering unique handmade fine arts and crafts using various media, including textiles, glass, jewelry, mixed media, wreaths, mosaics, painting, prints, photography, pottery, baked goods, sculpture, and wood. Proceeds from vendor fees support the City of Bowie Arts Scholarship program to assist graduating high school seniors pursuing art-related majors.

Where: Bowie | More Info: Bowie Holiday Craft Fair

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What to Expect:

Decorated floats and holiday-themed music.

Description:

The North Beach Christmas Market is a festive event featuring decorated floats, holiday-themed music, and a Christmas market selling gifts and seasonal items. The event transforms the town with twinkling lights and Christmas displays, creating a joyful atmosphere for all to enjoy.

Where: North Beach | More Info: North Beach Christmas Market

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What to Expect:

Local artisans and vendors selling handmade goods.

Description:

The Downtown Westminster Holiday Market offers a variety of local food, arts, crafts, and gifts, along with a train garden, all located at 29 West Main Street in Westminster, MD.

Where: Westminster | More Info: Westminster Holiday Market

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What to Expect:

Three-day indoor juried show with diverse artisanal offerings.

Description:

The McLean Holiday Art & Crafts Festival is a three-day indoor juried show featuring approximately 80 talented, regional artisans. It offers a wide range of gifts, including pottery, glass, jewelry, holiday decor, mixed media, fashion accessories, wood, fine art, artisanal foods, and soap. The event includes a Happy Hour with wine, beer, and hors d'oeuvres on Friday evening.

Where: McLean | More Info: McLean Holiday Art & Crafts Festival

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What to Expect:

Unique gifts and local artisanal goods.

Description:

The Silver Spring Christmas Market and Holiday Craft Fair at Veterans Plaza offers a festive celebration featuring seasonal artisans, delicious treats, and joyful spirit. Explore a merry marketplace filled with handcrafted treasures from local artisans, savor delightful food and desserts from various vendors, and immerse yourself in festive Christmas music.

Where: Silver Spring | More Info: Silver Spring Christmas Market and Holiday Craft Fair

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Bowie Holiday Shows and Entertainment

What to Expect:

Interactive ice sculptures and thrilling frozen slides.

Description:

Gaylord National Hotel features an extensive array of holiday activities, including ICE featuring Charlie Brown Christmas, snow tubing, and gingerbread decorating. The resort offers stunning Christmas decorations and spectacular light shows, providing a festive atmosphere for all ages.

Where: National Harbor | More Info: Gaylord National Hotel Show

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What to Expect:

Free performances featuring world-class art and diverse artistic expressions.

Description:

The Millennium Stage at the Kennedy Center offers a diverse range of free performances, including live music, film screenings, and workshops. These events showcase world-class art and performances with no cost admission, providing a unique opportunity for the community to engage with various artistic expressions.

Where: Washington | More Info: Free Holiday Events at Millennium Stage at the Kennedy Center

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Bowie Holiday Giving Opportunities

What to Expect:

Community-driven toy collection for underprivileged children.

Description:

The Bowie Police Department is collecting new, unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots. Donations can be dropped off at various locations including City Hall, Police Department, and Senior Center.

Where: Bowie | More Info: Toys for Tots 2023

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Bowie Other Holiday Activities

What to Expect:

Holiday train display with pollinator sculptures.

Description:

The US Botanic Gardens' holiday display features model trains running through pollinator sculptures made from plant parts, along with festive lights and thousands of poinsettias. Inside the Conservatory, explore DC landmarks and monuments crafted from various plant materials.

Where: Washington | More Info: US Botanic Gardens Holiday Display and Trains

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What to Expect:

Opportunity for kids to write and send letters to Santa.

Description:

Children can drop off their letters to Santa at City Hall or the Old Town Bowie Welcome Center, where they can also bring their own letters or use pre-formatted ones provided on-site.

Where: Bowie | More Info: Letters to Santa

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What to Expect:

Holiday reading event with a special gift.

Description:

Kringle Kaboose is a holiday event where children can enjoy reading a new classic, "The Polar Express," and receive their own Kringle bell. It offers a special experience with activities and entertainment.

Where: Bowie | More Info: Kringle Kaboose

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What to Expect:

Interactive reindeer training experience.

Description:

Learn what it takes to be a North Pole reindeer and play reindeer games at Belair Stable.

Where: Bowie | More Info: Reindeer Games

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What to Expect:

Social gathering with DJ entertainment and refreshments.

Description:

The Senior Holiday Party is an event where seniors can enjoy the sounds of DJ Gigi and light refreshments. It is a social gathering designed to bring the community together.

Where: Bowie | More Info: Senior Holiday Party

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What to Expect:

Supporting local animal shelters with pet supplies.

Description:

The Holiday Paws & Claws Drive is a community event where participants can donate unopened dog and cat food, cat litter, dog and cat toys, and clean blankets to support a local animal shelter. Donations are collected at the Ice Arena, and in return, participants receive a coupon for free admission to any public skating session.

Where: Bowie | More Info: Holiday Paws & Claws Drive

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What to Expect:

"Christmas-themed parade with Candyland theme"

Description:

The 78th Greater Manassas Christmas Parade is a festive holiday event featuring marching bands, floats, high-flying balloons, and more. This annual parade in Historic Downtown Manassas celebrates the holiday season with a "Christmas in Candyland" theme, attracting over 100 units and 2,000 participants.

Where: Manassas | More Info: Manassas Christmas Parade

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